Tech-Savvy Gen-Y Top Investment for Kiwi Businesses

A leading business
executive says investing in tech-savvy Gen-Y employees is
the way forward in today’s market, and that Kiwi companies
should resist giving them a bad rap.

The general manager
for Domino’s New Zealand, Scott Bush, says today’s
youths are often criticised for their constant use of
digital devices.

However, the close connection that Gen-Y
shares with the digital space makes them valuable employees,
he says.

“The ceaseless interaction of NZ’s youth with
their portable online devices means they are constantly
consuming information, increasing their offering to a
company on a macro level,” he says.

“Gen-Y are more
worldly than the generations before them because of their
ability and opportunity to access the digital world, and
businesses need to tap into this and make the most of its
relevance in today’s market.”

Bush says the digital
space is becoming increasingly important for businesses to
engage with their growing tech-savvy consumers.

While 60%
of Domino’s sales are now processed online, Bush predicts
this will rise to 80% within the next three years. Bush
says up to 90% of the company’s staff in NZ are from the
Gen-Y age group.

By employing Gen-Y staff, companies can
arm themselves with a better insight into the needs of
consumers who use digital platforms, he says.

“The key
is for companies to employ those who understand how to
communicate with customers through this channel, and make a
return on their affiliation with this forum,” he
says.

Bush says that Domino’s gives new employees the
option to do their training online, to help them better
communicate with their young staff.

He says that Gen-Y
offer not only digital expertise, but also malleability in
an ever-changing world.

“The next generation are a
flexible group who are constantly getting used to new
devices. With good mentoring and support they can be
invaluable to a business,” he says.

Bush says he expects
the Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) industry will become
increasingly technologically advanced over time.

Food
deliveries will likely be able to be tracked street by
street, similar to a GPS, in the coming years, he
says.

“Our ongoing aim as a company is to continue to
innovate so we can give customers as much control of their
experience as possible,” he says.

“We’d like to see
Domino’s in New Zealand become the largest digital
retailer in the country as it is currently in Australia,”
says Bush.

Other changes the food industry will likely
see is an internationally-influenced better quality offering
of ingredients from QSRs, he says.

“An international
food industry trend which is already infiltrating into the
Kiwi market is to deliver high quality foods, like our lava
cakes and now white chocolate panna cotta, to the masses for
a great value price,” says Bush.

“Ingredients that
once seemed exclusive to restaurants are now being offered
to consumers through QSRs for a low cost.”

For more
information or to order Domino’s through the new online
order site visit http://www.dominospizza.co.nz on your
online
device.

Rocket Lab has signed a Commercial Space Launch Act Agreement with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The agreement enables Rocket Lab to use NASA resources - including personnel, facilities and equipment - for launch and reentry efforts. More>>

ALSO:

Reserve Bank governor Graeme Wheeler says some market commentators are predicting further declines in interest rates that would only make sense for an economy in recession, although some easing is likely to be needed to maintain New Zealand’s economic growth. More>>

Legal advice sought by the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council on the Ruataniwha Dam consent conditions has confirmed that farmers who sign up to take water from the dam could be required to reduce the intensity of their farming operation to meet the catchment’s strict nitrogen limit. More>>

Health and safety law reform sparked by the Pike River coalmine disaster has been reported back from the industrial relations select committee with weakened requirements on small businesses to appoint health and safety representatives and committees. More>>

The value of fruit exported rose 20 percent (up $330 million) for the June 2015 year when compared with the year ended June 2014. Both higher prices and a greater quantity of exports (up 9.0 percent) contributed to the overall rise. More>>